Speaking to talkSPORT, Stan Collymore has admitted his belief that Ryan Shawcross would be a good signing for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to make as he starts to restructure the Merseyside club.

Collymore said: “Ryan Shawcross, I think he’d do a job for Liverpool. He’s been rumoured to go back to Manchester United at some stage. A local lad [to Liverpool] to boot.”

Shawcross has been in excellent form for Stoke this season, and before the loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday, the Potters had not conceded a goal with him on the field of play this term.

He is strong, commanding, and technically aware, and Shawcross would bring defensive stability to the Reds which Klopp’s team is so lacking this term.

However, if the footballing landscape was slightly different, Shawcross could have already been playing for Liverpool, having been linked with them back in the summer of 2009.

The 28-year-old was a target for Rafa Benitez back when he was still a fledgling talent in the Stoke team, with the Spanish coach said to be preparing a £5 million offer for him, as reported by the Telegraph.

No deal was completed, and Liverpool’s defence has been getting gradually worse and worse in the following seasons, culminating this season which has left Klopp with a back-line with no quality.

Shawcross would be a quality signing for the Reds, but the chances of him leaving Stoke look to be extremely low ahead of the January transfer window.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.